Computerized protocol for anatomical and functional studies of joints

This chapter describes a new methodology for the acquisition and computer elaboration of joint anatomy and motion data and the study of their correlation. The method uses a commercial industrial electrogoniometer, custom tools, and software designed and developed by the authors for interactive display of the anatomical structures during joint motion, numerical interpolations of the articular geometries, and kinematic analysis of motion. The original data acquisition protocol and computer elaboration software are described in detail, and a final subheading describes briefly previous studies and future developments.